Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Marine reserve near Ambergris Caye, Belize
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area near Ambergris Caye that contains coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests as part of the Belize Barrier Reef System. The site is divided into different zones, each with its own characteristics and rules for use.
The Fisheries Department established this reserve in 1987 to address declining fish populations and manage growing tourism activities. This protection allowed the underwater environment to recover while establishing rules for how the area could be used.
Local fishing communities continue to work within the reserve and share their knowledge with visitors about how to fish responsibly. These practices show how people can make a living while protecting the waters they depend on.
Visitors must book with licensed tour operators to explore the area, with trips typically running Monday through Friday from morning until late afternoon. All access is by boat from nearby islands, and snorkeling or diving are the main ways to experience the underwater life.
One section known as Shark Ray Alley is a natural gathering place where nurse sharks and stingrays congregate regularly. Visitors who venture there often encounter dozens of these creatures swimming together in shallow water.
Location: Belize District
Inception: 1987
Operator: Fisheries Department
Address: 2 Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro, Belize
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00
Website: http://holchanmarinereserve.org
GPS coordinates: 17.86900,-88.00300
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:04
Belize protects over 300 miles of the second largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and a substantial number of pre-Columbian Maya sites, many located deep within rainforests. The country combines marine protected areas, archaeological remains, and extensive nature reserves within a relatively compact territory. Visitors can explore the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef, a circular sinkhole roughly 1,000 feet (305 meters) across and 410 feet (125 meters) deep, one day and walk through the ruins of Caracol the next, the country's largest Maya site with pyramids rising over 140 feet (43 meters). The islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker provide direct access to the reef and stretches of sandy shoreline. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary preserves approximately 150 square miles (390 square kilometers) of rainforest as a protected area for jaguars and other mammals. Underwater protected areas like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve safeguard coral gardens, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests that support marine life. Archaeological sites such as Xunantunich, Lamanai, and Altun Ha showcase different building styles and periods of Maya civilization. Actun Tunichil Muknal cave combines geological formations with archaeological artifacts and is accessed by wading through underground rivers. The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve offers pine forests, waterfalls, and limestone formations in the western highlands.
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